6/22/2005
I still don't own it. And the lyrics in this chapter are from the song The Sea and The Rhythm by Iron & Wine
A/N- Where can I start? Your reviews were amazing, I don't even know what to say. Sis2acesar salad, I'm so glad you've start to read and review. Thank you so much for you comments, I loved seeing the progression of what you had to say between chapters. KC-Chick, SassyJazz, kursk, Cathy, Jackie, Crumbs, jessie4569, PuRsE-FaNaTiC, Gallot-Master, MalibuBarbie253, RainyGal, Kym, and of course I-Believe-in-the-butterflies- Thank you so much! I'm so happy you're still reading! And to all of my other loyal reviewers, you guys are the best! Sorry for the wait, I've been so busy with State Exams. Here you go, chapter 9!
Marissa looked through the hazy glass doors, trying to discern his silhouette against the dim light. Night had fallen, another one of her numbered days drifting into eternal memory. When she had left Summer's, her plan was to drive straight to his house and apologize for the day's beginning. But due to emotional exhaustion and minimal sleep, a tired spell cast over her eyelids as she pulled onto the main road. And Marissa knew more than anyone-trying to engage in stable conversation when incoherent was not worth the risk.
Her five hour nap proved to be incredibly helpful to her physical and mental health. She woke up as the sun began to fade, feeling refreshed and unburdened. And most of all, feeling ready to create a new slate of memories with Ryan, even if only in her short remainder of time. She rested her hand on the handle and hesitated briefly, before pulling the door open.
"Hi…"
His voice rang with a small degree of alarm, surprised by her sudden appearance inside the pool house. He propped himself against the side of the bed, trying to walk over to her. But she reached him before he could stand up, the corner of her lips forming a small smile. She bent over, resting her knees on the hard floor. Slowly, her hand made its way from her side into his lap, locking their fingers together. She looked down, absorbing the way they fit so perfectly together. The blood would circulate from the tip of his finger into hers, defying the limits of their bodies. His worn knuckles grazed the sides of her palm, soaking in the warmth that pulsed between them. They could go on forever with their hands moving across each other, exploring the binds of their intertwined life.
After awhile, she let her fingers stay still in his, and moved her free hand to his face. The strength of his jaw cowered underneath her touch, and he closed his eyes, letting his senses melt into her control. She traced a line down his neck, feeling the blood echo from his heart. The persistence of their frozen moment haunted his mind as her warm fingertips settled onto his chest.
"Stay with me," he stuttered pleadingly.
He brought his hand up to hers, forcing his heart beat to permeate through their tangled fingers. She couldn't respond with any words to the desperate look in his eyes. Instead, she stretched her forehead to match with his, letting her closeness distract him from his pain. Her lips caught onto his, but after only a few seconds he pulled away.
"You can stay here…with the Cohens…"
Marissa silenced him with another kiss, and he knew they had been defeated.
Ryan and Marissa walked silently into the kitchen, her body lingering a little bit behind his. Their sudden presence brought Sandy from his newspaper, looking up into the two sets of tortured blue eyes. He furrowed his brow in understanding, hoping to elicit something more than a silent response.
"Marissa's gonna stay for dinner…if that's okay."
"Of course. Did you tell your parents?" Sandy asked.
Marissa paused and began concentrating deeply on her shoelaces, avoiding eye contact with the other two in the room.
"They're out of town. Napa Valley."
Her eyes met with Sandy's paternal stare, willing her to speak the rest of her words.
"They're looking for houses there."
Ryan instinctively reached out and wrapped his hand around her arm, as if she were falling slowly and he needed to steady her. But his touch made her tremble, letting already vulnerable feelings surface in the tension filled room. And Sandy knew better than to dwell on the subject. Instead, he stood up and passed the couple, pouring the remainder of his wine into the sink. The bitter aroma dispersed into the air, hinting the room with a sense of romance. Marissa let the passing scent engulf her as Ryan's sleeve brushed her bare arm.
"When are they coming back?" Sandy inquired, breaking the moment.
"I don't know, it depends on how fast they find something I guess."
Sandy smirked and walked back to the drawer, pulling out a take out menu.
"Well knowing your mother, that shouldn't be too long."
Ryan and Marissa struggle to look amused, but their unwavering solemnity indicated failure.
"Well while your parents are gone, why don't you stay with us?" Sandy proposed, trying his hardest to uplift their broken spirits.
"Are you sure that's okay?"
"Marissa, you're family."
A comforting pause in his speech settled with them before he spoke again.
"And God knows we have the room, so…while I wait for the food, you go get your stuff from your house."
"Thanks," Marissa whispered appreciatively. She began to walk towards the door when turning to Ryan, questioning silently whether he would join her.
"You know what…I'm gonna stay here. Help Sandy make sure everything's in order."
"Like what? Taking out the forks? You know, Kirsten didn't do that much around the kitchen," Sandy mused.
"Yeah, no, I know…but I'm just gonna hang here. I'll see you in a bit," he said to Marissa, who smiled half heartedly.
"Okay."
Her voice cracked with disappointment, and she exited through the glass door behind her. When she was out of sight, Sandy turned towards Ryan with confused and displeased eyes.
"What the hell was that about? Marissa needs you to be there for her right now."
Ryan shrugged off the heavy dissatisfaction and turned towards the refrigerator.
"Perfect," he said with conviction, scanning his eyes over the long Subzero shelves. He removed a package of sliced American cheese and a bag of bread, placing them on the marble counter.
"Do me a favor? Boil some water, and keep Seth away from the grill."
He spoke hastily and rushed out to the backyard before Sandy could voice his confusion. He had twenty minutes to pull of one of the most romantic gestures of his life, which for him, was not enough.
XXX
Marissa found him by the pool house, standing over a fuming grill. She watched as his back stayed to her, unaware of her presence. And suddenly, all of the anxiety drained from her body. She could feel the earth below her come to a sudden halt, throwing her into the still frame of a vivid memory.
"You should have told me," she said, turning his focus from the grilled cheese to her. "I would have brought the macaroni."
Ryan smiled knowingly and picked up a large steaming bowl from beside him. He handled the sandwiches carefully, dropping them onto a single plate. His dancing blue eyes smiled at her with the same fresh look as two years ago.
"Dinner is served."
XXXX
Their crusts lay side by side, uneaten on the small blue dish. Marissa concentrated on her feet, rising and sinking continuously though the cool water. She felt comfortable sitting on the edge of the pool with him, the sides of their arms touching ever so slightly. And yet when he leaned forward, letting his fingers trail across the water's surface, she cold feel his muscles contract against her. He splashed her leg lightheartedly, hoping to keep the night as perfect and isolated from the world as it seemed.
"So," he started. "As good as it was two years ago?"
"Definitely."
She smiled sincerely and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, staring at the circles her feet drew in the water. He studied her profile carefully; the long eyelashes blinking against her skin, the smooth contours of her cheek, her lips still curved in a smile. He wanted to say something to her, but every time his mouth opened, the words would stay in his throat. But before he had time to dwell on it, she broke the silence.
"Thanks. For this."
"I just wanted to do something. Help, somehow."
She stared with appreciative eyes and kissed his lips tenderly.
"Come on."
Marissa brought herself off the ground and took hold of his hand, helping him stand up. They walked over to the very corner of the pool, trying to relive the entire memory.
"You ready?" he asked.
"On second thought, I don't really think I want to."
"No?"
"No."
"Alright."
Slightly disappointed, he began to clean their dinner remnants, when she turned around and grabbed hold of his waist. His foot slipped off the edge of the pool, immersing their tangled bodies into the cold water. They plunged through its shocking effect together, her hands grabbing onto his sleeve. When they emerged above the rippling surface, everything around them slowed down. The quiet breeze no longer swayed with the grass. The illuminated pool stood almost perfectly still, the swells of water becoming more distant. He focused on her face, the power of her shy blue eyes overwhelming him. Though she begged inside for this moment, she could feel herself becoming timid. He was gazing through her body, unwrapping every emotion, every thought, every worry that overcame her being. She was giving herself wholly to him, through one still moment in time. Smiling, she dipped her head underneath the surface, distracting herself from the intensity of their connection.
Ryan could feel his body shiver in the night air. Even with her under the water, his thoughts were barely able to form. He looked at her body, blending seamlessly with the inside of the pool. Her hair was spread out like a fountain of waves, and her eyes stayed shut, fluttering softly as the current crashed over their lids. He felt her innocence seeping through the water, everything she had grown to be rising with its upward flow. His body swayed backwards from the impressions that circled around him, but it went unnoticed.
Marissa emerged back into the night; her hair falling naturally behind her face, water dripping down her cheeks. She smiled at his vulnerable eyes, and grabbed onto his arm, drawing herself closer. Ryan wrapped his arms around her waist, taking a small step towards her. He rested the side of his face against her flushed cheek, holding her in his hands. The ends of her hair grazed his skin gently as she let him cradle her body.
"I love you."
His soft, whispered words pierced through the night, echoing off the sides of her body. She felt herself slipping from his grasp, and held on tightly to his neck. Pulling her head over his shoulder, she looked passed the glowing pool to ocean waves cycling endlessly against the eroding shore. His head was buried deeply in her neck, saving him from the rest of the world.
"You too," she breathed softly.
They danced slowly in each other's arms as the music of their faint breaths washed over the night.
XXXX
Marissa watched from the doorway as he fished through the wooden shelves, searching for two clean towels. His body was bent over, hugged and exposed by a characteristic white wife beater. She smiled slightly at the sight of his movements, feeling safe and protected by his presence in the isolated pool house.
Her grin caught onto his face as he walked towards her, partly from the power of the memory, but also from the happiness of the moment. He wrapped the towel around her shoulders, pulling her shivering body into his strong build. But the moment the space between them closed, so did their mouths. He let go of his grip on her towel and ran his fingers tenderly down the sides of her arms. His lips swept across her wet face as if he could wash away every ounce of pain she felt. And he did.
They landed on the soft mattress, their bodies blending seamlessly together into the sea of sheets. Marissa tangled her fingers in his dampened hair, pressing his rough cheek against her neck. She let his lips travel passionately down her body, the care and concentration in his every movement overwhelming. His fingers ran over her back as she slipped out of the light blue shirt. The rest of their clothes were shed to the floor within minutes, and the covers were pulled around their bodies.
Our hands they seek the end of afternoon
My hands believe and move over you
She could feel his nakedness slide over her with confidence, his powerful arms engulfing her fragile frame. Together, they created a wave of new motion, cradling their love with gentle passion. She opened her eyes for the last time, creating an irreversible covenant with his. There was no longer any distance between them. No matter how many steps stood between their bodies, they were forever intertwined, bound by a force deeper than land. Their bodies stayed pressed together through the endless, flowing night.
Your hands they move like waves over me
Beneath the moon, tonight, we're the sea